To Chicherin:

Why not send a delegation to Kiev right away, after all?

In my opinion, we should send one. It is unreasonable to wait for formal guarantees from the Germans, for in fact their declaration *is* a guarantee, and the loss of time is harmful to us and beneficial to the Germans 87.

Written May 8, 1918

First published in 1931

in Lenin Miscellany XVIII

Printed from the manuscript